This is a common problem. How do you quickly establish a web presence to convey your new practice information, location and contact information?

Here are 4 easy steps to quickly get you found on the Internet.

Buy Your Name as URL

Get indexed by Google, Bing and Yahoo by creating a webpage using your name as the URL. Using a 3rd party domain registrar, such as GoDaddy.com or Bluehost.com, purchase your name. If your name is taken, try some variations, such as;

Start a FaceBook and Google Plus Page

These two giants are going to war over local search. Take advantage of the competition and start a page on each platform. It’s free and both are natural places where your patients (or their children) will look for you.

Nothing fancy at this time. Just get your contact information listed properly on each page. You can be visible within just a few days!

Local Directories

“Google” yourself and find which local directories have your name listed. Claim those sites and update with your new contact information.

Take advantage of the inherent SEO power of some of these sites. For instance, healthgrades.com usually is listed fairly high on the SERP. Find and update the information pertaining to your listing.

Do the same for other directory listings you find when you “Google” yourself.

Two other major platforms are Yelp and Angie’s list. While these are great “review” sites, these are also popular arenas for your patients to search for you.

Update Societies and Associations

Update your contact information with your medical school, residency programs, state and local societies, board associations, etc. Many of the local directories use these membership lists as sources for their databases.

Adwords

While Adwords may indeed seem appealing, we’ve been voting against these 4 line ad campaigns. They are too ubiquitous and are often ignored (spam?).

We would suggest using them only after you’ve taken care of your organic search engines, local directories including Yelp and Angie’s list.

What Can You Expect?

Your goal is to update your contact information that is spread across the Internet and ASAP. By starting a webpage with your own URL, you will soon be indexed by Google, Bing and Yahoo. This may take a few weeks.

Use the ubiquity and SEO power of many of the review sites to allow your patients to find you. Google Plus, Facebook, Yelp and Angie’s list are all quick ways to get the word out.

After a few weeks, your organic search should then round out the picture!